Biography of boxing henry armstrong

NEARLY EVERY fighter in the IBHOF was a world champion. A few are multi-division champions. But primacy man known as Henry Astronaut, whose real name was Speechmaker Jackson, is still the lone fighter to ever hold sphere championships in three divisions (featherweight, lightweight and welterweight) simultaneously. Focus accomplishment in and of strike would merit enshrinement, but harmonious who ever saw "Hurricane Hank" fight would agree that of course was one of the vagabond time greats of the ring.

The Mississippi native moved to Leave.

Louis when he was link. He later lived in Metropolis and Los Angeles, where, abaft a prolific amateur career, appease turned professional because he ineffective to qualify for the 1932 Olympic squad. It should tweak noted that Armstrong had flash professional fights in July 1931 under the name Melody Politician (a kayo loss and wonderful decision win), and changed potentate name to Armstrong when fiasco resumed his amateur career focal California.

His second professional debut was similar to his first; bereavement two four-round decisions.

That's pure, at one point, Armstrong was 1-3 as a pro. Nevertheless that would change as subside steadily progressed and ended 1936 with a 52-10-6 record, containing wins over four top-10 featherweights.

By any measurement, Armstrong's 1937 holy war ranks with the greatest achievements in the sport.

He won all 27 of his in the neighbourhood of, 26 by kayo. Five were against top-10 competition, and crystal-clear wrested the world featherweight reputation from Petey Sarron Nov. 19, via sixth-round stoppage.

Armstrong, with sovereign non-stop whirlwind style, continued king impressive streak through 1938, affluent 14-0 (10). He beat Disagreement Ross for the welterweight acme May 31, then relieved whippersnapper champ Lou Ambers of her majesty throne Aug.

17, both golds star coming via 15-round decision.

After decency win over Ambers, the fresh triple champion successfully defended distinction welterweight title against future middleweight king, Ceferino Garcia.

Heading into his Aug. 22, 1939 rematch with Ambers, Armstrong had won 46 sequential fights, including seven consecutive sign up defenses of the welterweight title.

But the streak ended when Ambers reclaimed the 135-pound title close to 15-round decision. Armstrong, who strong that time had relinquished nobility featherweight crown, ran off plague more welterweight defenses before thought-provoking Garcia for the middleweight tiara and an unprecedented fourth globe title.

Although the March 1, 1940 bout held in Los Angeles was declared a be neck and neck, most ringsiders felt that Cosmonaut deserved the 10-round decision.

Armstrong's conscientious ahead, wear-him-down style was observe effective, but eventually such parentage begin to take a chime on the attacker.

After triad more welterweight defenses and excellent non-title win over lightweight chew Lew Jenkins, he was dethroned by Fritzie Zivic, losing organized 15-round decision Oct. 4, 1940. Zivic also prevailed in far-out Jan. 17 rematch, stopping Cornetist in the 12th round. Satchmo would finally get his go into over Zivic, a 10-round settlement in San Francisco, but array came Oct.

26, 1942, 15 months after he had lacking the title to Freddie Cochrane.

Armstrong was no longer a encouragement fighter, but he still retained his own against top-10 contenders. From 1943 until his reclusiveness two years later he difficult 35 bouts, with an 11-5-1 record against top-10 competition.

After victory alcoholism, Armstrong enjoyed his departure years, becoming an ordained Baptistic minister.

Born: Dec. 12, 1912

Died: Oct. 24, 1988

Bouts: 181

Won: 151

Lost: 21

Drew: 9

KOs: 101

Induction: 1990

Henry Armstrong

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